"This's so great!"
"TELL me about it."
"I mean really! When was the last time we got together?"
"When you were still in Sanc."
"Never knew you had a sarcastic side Relena."
She grinned and gave a quick wink. "I'm sneaky that way."
"So...tomorrow you're leaving?"
"Yup, everything's set and packed. You have things done on your end?"
"Ready and waiting." A grin popped up. "There's so much we have to catch up on." A gleam entered Quatre's eyes. "And someone I'd like you to meet."
Her brow rose. "Oh?" A mischievous grin sprouted. "The elusive, powerful, and HIGHLY available Quatre Winner finally found himself a girl?"
A tinge lit across the vid phone. "I'm not THAT hard to catch..."
She briefly giggled. "I'm just teasing you. So who is this girl?"
Quatre's exuberance mildly stunned her as she met his eyes. "My secretary." Her eyes widened a little. "Don't let the cliché fool you. She's so kind and funny, and she's so beautiful inside and out and-"
A hand rose, halting Quatre's ramblings. "I get it, I get it." She kidded, grinning. She gave another wink when Quatre pouted at obviously not being able to gush as much as he thought he should.
She chuckled. "I'm sure I'll see for myself right? I mean, I WILL be in your office for a lot of the time."
Quatre smirked. "Business as usual, going on."
She heaved a sigh, fighting not to laugh. "Hey...we can at least PRETEND can't we?" The two finally gave in and laughed.
"Yea...too bad it had to be so long." Quatre mumbled, leaning back in the chair.
She shrugged. "We both have responsibilities to our contacts and so-called 'jobs'," Fingers quoted the air, "I haven't seen you for almost five months. I'm just happy you can fit me in so SOON."
A blond brow rose. "A month away is EARLY for you??"
A sardonic smile popped up. "Have you even seen my SCHEDULE? You don't know what I had to do to clear my space for a week!" The two laughed again.
"Miss Peacecraft?"
Her eyes slowly fluttered open, a hand rubbing her eyes. Was that a dream? She was just talking with her friend not that long ago...was there a reason she was reliving it now?
Shaking her head, she looked up to the body next to her seat. "Dorlain." She tiredly answered, stilting a yawn.
"Ah, well Miss Dorlain, we're landing soon. Just thought you would like to know."
She nodded and politely smiled. "Thank you." With a nod, the man flew back to the front of the shuttle.
She was thankful for the entire place void of life except her and the attendants. Quiet was a thankful change of pace compared to what surrounded her for what seemed so long. This was the life! With another stretch, she shuffled closer to the window seat, wanting to look out as they approached Earth. The place was so beautiful...
She heaved a contented sigh and smiled. The past few days were hectic, but they were worth it. Doubling to get everything done quicker was horrid on her sleep patterns and stress levels, but the final night was spent in the cherished company of those she called friends.
Sally and Noin swore to keep an eagle eye on Hilde, though she suspected they would be twice as lenient as she was. Sally knew every ache and bruise on Hilde's body and knew Hilde wouldn't hesitate to go if something were wrong. And though Noin was friendly with Hilde, the two never really connected. If they spent any time together, it probably wouldn't be much.
Her brow jutted forward a little. That thought never really occurred until now. It was kind of funny that those two hadn't become fast friends, or more than acquaintances, with as much time as they spent around each other in one place. Sure Noin was busy protecting her and accompanying her everywhere, but the woman still spent dinner and the mornings with Hilde. As did she and Sally.
After a while, feeling the pull of gravity slightly shake the shuttle, she tossed the notion aside and pulled the belt a little tighter around her waist. Flying wasn't a problem, even interstellar; it was just the drop or rise in altitude that never ceased to make her stomach queasy. It always happened and the only thing she could do was take deep breaths and grip the armrests until they cruised into the atmosphere.
After finally landing, her hands let go of the white-knuckled death grip on the poor cushions and went for her belt. She stretched and headed for the front, seeing one of the attendants already waiting. She gave a pleasant smile and denied help down the stairs, meeting long-awaited blue eyes.
"Quatre!" Rushing down the stairs as quick as possible, she jogged for her friend and tightly hugged him. "It's so GOOD to SEE you again!" She mumbled, feeling tears come to her eyes. She rapidly blinked before pulling away, trying to compose herself. It was do no good for Quatre to see her cry. Sensing would be a little different.
Quatre pulled back with a warm smile. "Let's have a look at you now."
"You just saw me on a vid phone not too long ago though!" She humorously protested, circling to patronize him.
"And you still haven't changed one bit." Quatre added, hugging her again. A hand patted her back lightly. "Welcome to L-4 Relena."
She heaved a happy sigh and the two went for her bags. Quatre insisted on carrying the most, since she was HIS guest. She gave up after a small insist that they were HERS and she should carry them.
Shouldering a small accessory bag, a hand absently clutched it as they strode for the terminal. "So...tell me more about this girlfriend of yours." She teased, widely grinning. She wanted to hear all about the girl who apparently captured the Gundam wing ex-pilot's heart!
Quatre grinned and tossed her a sly look. "You SURE?... That could take a while...QUITE a while!"
She briefly giggled at his boyish attitude and set everything to be x-rayed by customs. "Well I've got TIME." She answered. A dry smile appeared. "For ONCE!"
"Amen." They laughed and retrieved the bags again, heading for the car.
~*~*~
"You've GOT to be kidding me!" Blue met violet in the dusk. "Okay so I know you don't kid people but...you've GOT to be kidding me!!"
He sighed. "Just calm down and keep quiet. I didn't work so hard and bring you here to have you blow your cover by rambling."
Violet narrowed in minute frustration. Same ol' Heero Yuy. A small scowl popped up as he switched hands to let it rest from holding the stolen gun for so long. How long had it been since they reached this spot? Thirty minutes? An hour? Duo had never been THAT good at keeping track of time and was always a little off in his perceptions.
"One would think with all my time with you that I'd learn to read you even better..." Duo mumbled, the scowl deepening.
"SHH."
Mere seconds after the Deathsycthe pilot hushed, a handful of people walked past the shadows they were crouched in. Both heads rapidly darted behind the pillar they were both on, ears avidly intent as the footsteps passed. Soon, wary violet and blue peeked out by inches as they watched the main boss, a few right-hand men, and the female assassin walk.
That shoulder-length haired head tilted a degree, enough to see a difference. It seemed her ears were listening to something and her pace slowed.
'No! Turn back around damn it! Don't STOP!' He mentally pleaded, grip bruisingly tight on his gun. Going to infiltrate The Blur's headquarters for a full out assault and final showdown really WASN'T the way to go, but he was getting tired. Nearly five and a half months of waiting and small stealth strikes weren't doing much to cripple the gang. They were still growing in numbers, despite the dozen or so he and Duo took down in that time.
Someone somewhere answered his prayers and that head turned back around when the main boss called for her to hurry up. The small bunch passed through the front doors to a hallway and were gone from eyesight.
"You sure know how to show a guy a good time." Duo dryly cracked, putting the gun back in the other hand. Though experienced with both hands, the right just handled a gun better. Chalk it up to being a right-handed writer.
Blue looked down and briefly met violet before avidly watching the guards outside. He wasn't going to even dignify that with a response.
"So, remind me AGAIN how we're going to take down such a large group and save the day in one night?"
"We're not taking down EVERYONE right now, just the assassin." He lowly answered, crouching even more into the dark corner of the late night. The grip on his gun loosened a tad to allow circulation. "The guards change shifts in," His eyes went up the street to a clock on the corner, "twelve minutes. When they switch, I'll detonate the bomb placed across the street and we'll take the advantage and get in."
"Why didn't you just blow up the place the in first place and save ME the trouble of coming down to pull your ass from the fire?" Duo quipped, giving a cocky grin.
Blue momentarily glared at violet before returning to the guards. "Because there are people in there that don't need to die."
Duo's eyes widened as he watched the men as well. THAT didn't sound like the Heero Yuy he spent the past month or two with! Hmm...must be too much night air. Or perhaps the grip on his gun was causing a chain reaction that was cutting off circulation to that smart brain of his... Perhaps he smelled too much gun powder??
"Still don't see why you couldn't have just blown the place up..." Duo mumbled, minutely scowling.
It took forever for the boss to return from his trip to Korea. In that time, he took the assassin with him, leaving the place fairly well guarded in his absence. There was no real way TO blow the place up, as he would want to do it from inside. Even if he wanted to kill the main boss, the assassin, and half of The Blur's henchmen, innocent people didn't need to see that.
There were extra explosives safely tucked in his shirt pocket, but that was for creating a diversion if they couldn't get past any point inside. The extra guns and bullets should be able to take care of who he needed otherwise.
Thirteen minutes came all too swiftly and, with plan in their heads, the two stealthfully ducked around the oddly designed structure, keeping eagle eyes on the four guards.
They crouched mere feet outside the main doors, unable to see past the thick oak barrier. It would've been better if it were glass, but then he'd have to work around all the OTHER people there. As soon as they got in, finding the assassin was priority number one. Getting to her was left up to relying on their training.
"Do it." Duo whispered, tightening his grip on the gun. It was now or never. The thrill of battle rushed his veins, giving him that old adrenaline trip.
Not wasting time, he pressed the standard detonation button. The device went off as planned and the guards went for their walkie talkies and ran across the street. Their guns were already being drawn as the bunch looked around, slowly edging toward the crumbling building.
"Let's go!" Duo rasped.
"Wait for it..." He whispered, muscles tightening.
In the time he met Duo's confused eyes, the doors swung open and five more guards rushed out, guns drawn. Shouts from inside were heard as the doors started slowly closing. "NOW."
As the five went down the steps, they zigzagged inside and quickly fired on the few gang members left inside. A few got off some stray shots, but neither took any bullets.
"Bar the doors." He ordered. In mere seconds, he located the cameras and took them out, along with the lights.
"Yes sir, captain SIR!"
How Duo was able to keep his humor at a time like this was beyond him, so he disregarded it. Something metal slid through the vertical bars and bent a little, giving them a little more time.
"That won't keep the extra out for long. There's side and hidden entrances all over this place." He muttered, taking for the stairs. They matched pace and soon hit the second floor. "We'll split up and search the rooms. Though they should've been in one on the third floor, I know they'll have moved by now. Keep in contact through the COM in your ear and don't do anything STUPID."
"You take the high road and I'll take the low road. And I'll take out the assassin BEFORE ya!" Duo gaily sang, taping the gun to his temple in a quick salute.
He glared. "Don't let that attitude get you KILLED."
All humor was instantly wiped off that cheerful face. "Hey, I KNOW what I'm doing. It was all to lighten the mood." Duo muttered, taking off in the other direction.
He grunted and took for a set of stairs, staying in the shadows.
~*~*~
"So...how's Duo doing?"
"He's... Well..." She fought a grimace and hid it behind her teacup. Quatre didn't waste much time, but at least he wasn't questioning her about Heero!
She really didn't want to say anything about Duo leaving for Shanghai. With Quatre's cheerful attitude, albeit a little stressed with the business world, it seemed he had no real clue yet about China. It seemed news of Earth didn't reach the colonies that well. GOOD.
"Relena?"
She set the glass down and mentally asked her friend forgiveness for lying to him. "He's doing okay." Considering she had NO clue where Duo was right now or how he was, that general statement wasn't really lying...
"Is everything fine with Hilde?"
She looked away at that, feeling that frustration of having to help her friend walk again. "God, don't get me started on Hilde Schebeiker..."
Quatre gave an odd look over his tea glass. "Something wrong with Hilde?"
She heaved a sigh and slouched in the couch of his library. "Don't get me WRONG. I absolutely LOVE Hilde...she's my good friend...but she WHINES too much!" A hand slapped her forehead as all those mornings rushed in her ears.
Quatre smiled and chuckled. "From what? You sound stressed." He teased.
She smiled despite herself and sat up again. "It's her therapy. She nearly refused to take the appointed steps Sally devised. I know she's come from a severe accident, but I would think she'd take THAT a little better." Her head shook.
A blond brow rose. "Wouldn't DUO help with that? I figured he'd do everything so you wouldn't have to."
Blue looked to blue and her mind scrambled for something to explain. "Well...Noin, Sally, Duo, and I normally shared the room to help coach Hilde on." True...they DID until Duo left. She suddenly smiled. "It was quite an interesting time when Duo reprimanded Hilde a few times for her not wanting to go on. That was priceless."
They grinned. "So Hilde's fairing better?" Quatre wondered.
"MUCH. She used to be confined to a bed all the time, but now she can at least wheel around the floor she's staying on. I'm assuming if she's lucky, she could find a way to butter Sally and Noin up to let her go to different floors. If she was lucky enough to be either carried downstairs or safely wheeled down, she'd do it in a heartbeat."
Quatre's brow furrowed. "Isn't she walking on her own yet?" Five and a half months, Hilde's injuries were extensive, no doubt about that, but STILL...to not be able to walk on your own after so long?
"She's still working on it. She's gotten a LOT better in this past month with-" She stopped and forcefully bit her tongue. She was going to say 'with Duo being gone', but held herself back. "With the resolve to walk." She finished, knowing that was at least ture.
Though she hated to lie to Quatre, knowing he would probably sense something amiss, she didn't want to jeopardize anything if Heero wanted everything kept secret. She also didn't want to burden or worry Quatre anymore than he was with his current life. He had this unknown girlfriend to keep him busy instead.
But it was true though. Hilde buckled down when Duo left from their conversation after Hilde sprung the news of his leaving. After her reminder that Hilde get better to greet Duo on her own, Hilde's complaints became less and less as the girl sometimes physically bit her tongue to work her legs. Before she left, Sally had Hilde doing two laps on the bar by herself with no help. Not only was it supposed to help Hilde's legs, but it would help her arms by keeping a good grip on the bars.
By the time she left, Hilde successfully did one lap before the pain started showing. Sally also had her working with arm weights and a few bed exercises to help the rest of her body. There was also talk of Sally attaching weights to the girl's ankles as well to hurry up the healing.
"Relena?"
Blue jerked to blue with an apologetic smile. "Sorry Quatre, my mind was on Hilde." She mildly grimaced. Getting up to L-4 was supposed to be fun and here she was thinking of home. "Did you say something?"
"Reiterating," Quatre kidded, "would you like to come in with me tomorrow and meet my girlfriend? We can also get stuff started in the process. Get an outline drawn out if you will."
"Sounds like a plan."
~*~*~
Darkness surrounded him and he liked it. He was in his element. It was pretty creepy that a person could feel at home in the pitch, but he was trained to like it. There was no room for being scared of things in the night here. ESPECIALLY not here.
There was no word from Duo, which told him his partner hadn't found the group yet. If Duo had, the plan was to dictate the level, hall, and room for backup. They didn't fight the assassin alone; he stipulated that rule strictly. He already tried that and if he could do it alone, Duo wouldn't be needed.
Duo wasn't a match either. If HE couldn't fight this powerful slip of a girl, then Duo DEFINITELY couldn't. His training was twice of Duo's, even though the ex-pilot had some street smart training. It wasn't enough and the only thing that'd keep Duo alive was the gun in his hands.
He threw another door open in the lightless hall and mechanically pulled the gun back. Empty, just like the last five. Where WERE they?? Leaving the door open as evidence to keep from backtracking, he quickly checked the hallway and hid again, making his way down the hall for the last room. After this, this hall would be empty and another down. This would make it the third hall on this floor he searched. He imagined Duo would be having similar luck in numbers by now.
After throwing the door open, gun poised to shoot, he minutely startled in surprise at seeing two pairs of even eyes on him. "Found you." He grit out, jaw clenched. It was about time.
"So my boy...YOU are the one who's caused havoc on my return home trip?" Eyes looked him up and down. He couldn't see anything due to the solitary light of a single security monitor. "Not what I expected. A pity. You've taken me from my work. That will cost you."
"Your 'work' ends. I'm here to kill you both."
A smug smile appeared as the boss's eyes directed to the assassin next to him. "I highly doubt so boy. You'd be dead before you even got the chance to shoot if I gave the order. My little meng long would take you out."
His gun shifted a few feet in that familiar spot right between the girl's eyes. "Not if I take her down first." A small, almost indiscernible smile appeared again, much like last time. "You won't be able to dodge this time. Not at point blank range." He threatened, eyes narrowing. They locked with black in the darkness.
"Ah...so you've met my little meng long then? Interesting."
Without answering, his gun went off, firing for her forehead. Again, she dodged it in that close range and the wood split with a crack as the bullet lodged in the wall. IMPOSSIBLE!
The boss tsked, his head shaking. "Perfectly good wallpaper ruined. Meng long, punish him." Unable to get a second shot in, the girl's hands suddenly pushed against his chest with such a force that sent him sprawling into the hall and against the wall with a thud.
He sunk to the ground. His spine and ribs were throbbing, but he ignored the pain with a small cough and got to his feet. His gun aimed again and quickly moved out of the way as he ducked to the ground to avoid a kick that could've crushed his skull. She was still wearing those combat boots.
He was in too close of quarters for a fight like this. Though he had the upper hand if a stray hand or foot hit the wall, it wouldn't faze her. The hit didn't faze him, and she was above him. This wasn't going to do good. And didn't he say that whoever found the girl had to call for backup, as she was not to be fought alone?
Being reminded, a hand went to his ear. "Duo, over."
"Kind of busy here buddy!"
A shot rang out through his earpiece and it was apparent that Duo encountered some guards. His jaw clenched as he whirled around and fired at the girl again. She jumped in the air and the bullet missed again.
"I found the assassin; repeat I've found the assassin."
"Really? Great. Bring her along and we can have a regular ol' party!"
His sarcasm was not appreciated, nor was it helping his anger. Another bullet fired and missed as he was forced to head back the way he came. If Duo was indisposed at the moment, he would try to lead the girl back a little closer.
"Just get over here! And no funny antidotes. Take out the guards and backtrack to the left wing, third hall on your left. I'll most likely be in the main entrance by the time you get back though."
More gunshots fired and all was deathly quiet on the other end. "Says you. I'm done here. Still need a hand?"
He went to answer but a sharp kick from behind in the square of the back got a painful grunt as he went sprawling to the carpet. He skidded a little bit, skin burning from the fibers.
"Heero?? You okay bud??"
His senses strengthened in the dark as he tried to locate the girl. Standing, he stretched his back to make sure everything was still useable. It felt bruised, possibly dislocated, but he would manage until Duo came back. "Not now...I'm busy. Just get over here."
Quickly, he jumped to the side from a strike aimed for his heart. The girl seemed to predict that and a hand latched onto his wrist, swinging him into the wall. He fell with another grunt and thud.
"Heero? HEERO! I'm on my way buddy!!"
~*~*~
The alarm came WAY too early for her tastes. A loud groan rent the air, mixing with the annoying beeping, before a hand quickly snuck out and slapped the snooze. Somewhere in her sleep-muddled mind said that she wouldn't have much time until the thing went off again, but she irrationally reasoned that eight extra minutes were eight extra minutes.
The rational side was proved correct when the alarm went off again. Both parts of her mind mewled as she groaned again. "Okay, okay I'm UP!"
She regrettably stood in the dark, finding low lighting peeking through the bottom of the curtains. Dawn was coming soon. Heaving a sigh, she scowled and pulled the covers off, going for the shower. A nice, hot shower sounded like the only thing that would wake her up and stop thinking of going back to sleep...
Minutes after she tied the sash to the robe and put her hair up in a towel, a knock came from the bedroom door. She rushed to it, making sure everything was secured, and met a nearly bright-eyed and awake host. She didn't bother with pleasantries. "Not even I get up at five in the morning!" She retorted, a hand going to the towel.
Quatre smiled and handed her a mug of coffee. "My condolences but you won't have to do this for long. The place opens at seven, but I promise today will be fun." He mused, winking. Blue turned away as she strolled in the room, giving privacy.
She left the door open and strolled to the bathroom, keeping the bedroom door open in case her host wanted to come in and to talk to him. She propped the bathroom door open by a few inches and went for her clothes.
"So," She called, "what's on the agenda today?"
Quatre leaned against the doorway, his eyes firmly remaining planted on the white carpet. "Well, I figured we could come up with something. Two heads are better than one-"
"True."
"-and I wanted to relax in a business meeting for once."
She laughed and went for the hairdryer. That made sense, and they both worked really hard. Perhaps a social lunch meeting instead of being cramped in an office all day long...
By the time she was ready and snuck a quick something from the kitchen, insisting her stomach didn't eat much in the morning, they were off for Quatre's business. She was given a quick tour of the place, seeing the receptionist desk empty.
When she asked, Quatre explained that Divinity only worked normal business hours, even though his secretary. Saying he'd explain later, she was shown the entire building, ending in his father's office.
"Man...why don't I have an office as nice as this?" She mused, her voice bouncing off the high walls.
Quatre smiled and walked around her to his desk. After laying his briefcase on the glass surface, he sat in the leather chair and looked to her. "You have a whole MANSION you can use. No, a palace! What're you complaining about??"
She smiled and took a small walk around, feeling like prying since she knew he didn't mind. She browsed the place and ended with looking out the windows. "Nice view..."
Quatre got from the chair and joined her. "Yea. I don't get to look out much, but it's pretty nice."
After a small bit of comfortable silence, she turned with a small sigh. "Think we should get to it?"
Blue met hers. "Do we have to?"
She grinned and fought laughter. This felt more like a vacation trip than business being next to her friend. She was happy for the change. "The sooner we get done, the sooner we get to have FUN."
Quatre gave a playful pout, but slowly headed back to the desk. "You've been cooped up with work for too long."
She sat in a chair on the other side, eyeing his fancy desk covered with neat stacks. "I could say the same for you." She shot back, smiling.
Not too much time later, a soft knock sounded on the door. It was a small interruption of talk and fun, but neither really cared. Things were just starting to get serious with plans of getting crews up to space around Earth and the colonies to get things started. By the time they were discussing crews, the knock came.
Quatre gave the go ahead and she watched his eyes light up. His smile was bright and she turned to the door, but could only see a slim hand on the doorknob. Whoever it was didn't open it enough for her to see.
"Hi Quatre, I came to give you these."
Quatre's nose wrinkled. "MORE work? Couldn't you have just left it at YOUR desk Diva?" He joked, smirking.
She laughed. Wouldn't that be nice?? How often she'd like to tell THAT to one of the senator's secretaries! Her head shook in helpless amusement.
The door opened a second later and she got a full glimpse of the girl. She nodded in greeting and gained a tentative one in return. "Hi."
Blue looked to Quatre. She smiled. "You sound like I do when I get more paperwork to work on."
Clasped hands rested over Quatre's stomach as he leaned back in the plush chair. "Yea, yea...we ALL know teasing me is fun." He lightly retorted, smiling. "But YOU'RE just as bad as I am when it comes to getting caught up."
Blue dropped to his glass desk with a shy grin. "Yea, one reason I came UP here." She joked back, giving him a lopsided grin. "I can take some time off and RELAX." She gave sly look; that grin turning evil. "But I HIGHLY doubt you know what that word MEANS." She giggled, leaning back in the chair.
Her gaze jerked to the door with Quatre's and she watched as he stood and stopped in front of the girl. A brow rose as their hands entwined and her brain tickled. She eyed the pair again.
"Divinity Barbados, I'd like you to meet someone I THINK you'll know." She stood and met deep brown eyes. "I'd like you to meet Relena Dorlain Peacecraft."
She fought a sigh. ONE of these days, she was going to make a public announcement to drop the Peacecraft part of her name. She was a Dorlain first and foremost. Though her blood was Peacecraft, she didn't come from that home. She was always a Dorlain.
A small, choked cry sounded, taking her aback. "It's a pleasure." Divinity choked out.
She smiled in amusement. She heard a LOT about the Hispanic girl from Quatre. She looked forward to meeting the beauty he described, but didn't know her presence alone would stupefy the girl. "It's nice to finally meet you. I've recently heard about you from Quatre and was curious to see who finally caught him." She mirthfully looked at Quatre as he blushed lightly.
Divinity and Relena chuckled quietly after some brief flirting between the two. How cute... "But now that I HAVE remembered my manners, may I inquire what you're here for?" She pleasantly asked, smiling slightly.
Relena looked almost put out. "Business." She glumly said. Her head shook a second later, throwing herself from inner musings. "But I figure I might as well squeeze all the fun I CAN out of this trip WHILE I'm here." She kidded, grinning widely. "Quatre and I are going to meet and discuss a few things about the removal of mobile suits and using them for something USEFUL in this world."
To her surprise, the girl started speaking in words totally incomprehensible, in a language she didn't know. What made her even more shocked was Quatre's response in the same language. She blinked, wondering when he picked THAT up. "Aw, isn't that sweet." She playfully gushed, a little envious. Two pairs of eyes jerked to her. She smiled evilly. "Should I leave you two ALONE?" She teased, fighting laughter. They both blushed and took a step backward.
She stopped next to Divinity and looped their arms together, dragging her to a chair. "You'll have to teach ME some, just in case he slips into it by accident." She said, eyes twinkling.
After more talk from the trio, Divinity left to get back to work, leaving them to as well. She plopped down in the chair, ready to get back to work again. Quatre seemed to have a different mindset as he explained the intrusion, which she didn't mind. Finally, she was able to see the girl.
But...then he had to go and ask how the pair was doing again. As if he didn't last night. She THOUGHT she managed to get him swayed, but apparently not. She couldn't lie and confided a few beginning problems, something she wondered if she should've done. Quatre was upset and was thoughtful for a little bit until she managed to bring him out of it.
Giving him a small, encouraging smile, she leaned forward a little. "Well, now that I've DEPRESSED you enough, do you think you can pull yourself out of that stupor so we can talk business? I'll take you out to dinner later to make it up to you." She said, smiling wider.
With the promise set, though slightly altered, they buckled down again for a little longer, going through plans and taking down rough notes.
~*~*~
"It was nice of you to invite me Relena." Divinity said, scooting a little closer in the booth next to Quatre.
"It was my pleasure." She said, smiling kindly. "I can get to know you better." They talked briefly, and she mentally noted how good they looked together. Their personalities were compatible and they were cute together. As their flirting was evidence of.
Then the kiss...whether sporadic or not she didn't know. She watched them, a small bout of loneliness and longing settled onto her, wishing Heero were around. She hadn't seen him since he left; still amazed he'd been around the entire time.
'I wish he were here NOW.' She mentally sighed. Even though she KNEW he would never be so brazen in public, or even in private, she would be next to him, and that was enough for her. Gloomy eyes dropped to the plate, wondering where he was now, what he was doing. She hadn't heard a word from him since he left, and she was ALMOST wondered if she should worry about him.
Things went okay after that. She let the two drop her off at Quatre's place so they could spend time together. She didn't want to be a burden, and she wasn't going to be a third wheel.
She opted for her room and a good book, watching the colony sunset turn to darkness. Said book was currently sitting in her lap in a window seat. "Heero...wherever you are, my prayers go out to you. I hope you're okay and are able to do what you set out to do..." With a sigh, she closed the book and decided to head to bed.
~*~*~
Shoes skidded to a stop at the edge of the hallway, wide violet looking on at a scene mere feet away. The boot raised to give a healthy kick to the stomach halted midway and was put back to the ground instead.
Duo wasted no time in pulling out his gun and aiming it on the long-awaited assassin he wanted to see who caused all this ruckus. "Shit! Heero buddy; you still conscious??" Dark violet kept a strict eye on the girl. She stood there placidly, eyeing the gun as if it couldn't harm her.
After a small pause, he slowly stood and mentally counted his injuries. One knee was definitely broken from one of those roundhouse kicks she gave. His skin ached from the cuts and bruises that formed and would form later on. The foot he tried to step on nearly gave out and screamed in pain, but he grit his teeth from it and ignored it. It was either broken or dislocated, but still there...
One wrist hurt to move, barely able to move at all, and the other forearm was in pain from blocking another roundhouse that could've taken off his head. Also, his ribs were definitely hurting. Not good; he was in bad shape...
"Shit! Man you're banged up even in THIS lighting!" An arm hastily went under his arms to help prop him up and he regretfully used the human crutch. He favored his injured wrist a little and wrapped his arm around Duo's shoulders.
"How're we going to get out of here with this killing machine so close? If she dodges bullets like you said, and beat YOU up, we're in trouble."
He scowled and met black in the dark, only able to find her eyes by the emergency lights. Duo was right and soon they'd be surrounded by guards. Even when he was hurt, the odds of escape were about the same as the Naval hospital when Duo sprung him. Blue eyed the gun on the floor, mere inches away.
"We're getting out of here. When I move, fire at her."
"Wha-"
Not letting his partner finish that question, he rolled to the ground and went for the gun with his good hand, rolling to the side when a foot went to slam to the ground. A gun fired seconds after, and the girl jumped out of the way.
Forcing himself not to worry about the injuries or wince in pain, he stood and regained his stance with Duo's hold. "Let's get going. Head back the way we came as fast as we can."
"But...she's still ALIVE! Aren't we supposed to KILL her??"
He glared as they shakily ran and fired on the girl, who didn't look to be hindering them too much. Was she letting them go?? It didn't make sense!
Failing a mission hurt his pride immensely, but he wasn't able to think on that. He had to abort because he was in no position to fight! He couldn't finish the mission if he couldn't fight.
"There's someone else...who might be able to handle this better than even WE can..." He muttered, shaking his head as his vision swam. He harshly blinked and forced unconsciousness away as they went for the stairs.
By the time they got to the bottom, the girl had jumped from the balcony and was waiting for them. Duo stopped and pointed the gun at her. "I've only two bullets left in this clip. And she's too fast to let me load it again." He darkly muttered, glaring. Violet swung to the prone fighter for the briefest of moments.
"I've got enough in this clip and my last, but neither of us will be able to load ours. We won't get away fast enough in the condition I'm in. Somehow, we've got to make it out of here."
The two suddenly looked to the person they forgot in their hushed conversation, finding her mere inches away from Duo. Violet startled, jogging his injuries, but didn't move away. Both eyes locked as the Chinese seemed to be looking for something. She remained silent as those eyes slowly narrowed in near calculation. Her head slowly leaned forward, nearly touching noses with Duo, but the youth refused to back up or show any hint of fear.
He knew now was the time for action. He could put a slug in her chest and they'd still come out on top. Then maybe he wouldn't have to make that second call... And he would too, if he wasn't as stupefied as his friend about what the girl was doing. Was she waiting to strike? Try to lull their defenses down? This wasn't making sense!
Duo resisted the urge to gulp as he came in extremely close contact. There was a smell on the girl that he took to be blood. This girl certainly was a trained killer if the blood of her victims didn't come off. Duo wanted to ask what was up, but couldn't find his voice. Why hadn't this chick killed them yet??
After insurmountable time, she stepped back and continued to stare. Those eyes widened to a picture of innocence. Then, that head jerked above and behind them.
He heard reinforcements coming and harshly swallowed. His vision swam again and he harshly blinked for clarity again. He wasn't going to last much longer.
Some invisible message seemed to come to Duo as he kept watching the girl. Her gaze remained behind them before coming back to stare again. She blinked once and then went back to looking at the stairs, staying as still as a statue.
She wasn't going to attack anymore. Duo blinked in shock as he quickly eyed her relaxed shoulders. WHY?! Duo didn't have time to ponder it as Heero mildly swayed and the two carefully rounded the girl. "I don't get this..." Duo muttered, kicked the main doors open.
"I don't," Cough, "either." Having forgotten the guards, he quickly fired with total accuracy, dropping the near dozen and emptying his clip. "I'm out." A small grunt came as he slowly inhaled, making sure to keep his breathing even. The girl had to've broken a few ribs and breathing was going to be a hassle for a while.
Duo looked to his friend as they took off down the street. "Buddy you're a MESS. I'm taking you back home."
He blinked. "Home? To where? We won't make it to L-2." He muttered, looking to keep his steps in time with Duo's.
Duo cast a momentary grin as the course changed. The two started heading down a different route, not going back to the shoddy apartment. "No...home as in Sanc. You're not going to last long like this, even though you THINK you will, and I've had enough. You said someone else might be able to take this chick, so call on them. I've got whatever tools you need for a frequency."
A brow furrowed as he tried to strengthen the pace. Duo's logic somehow made sense and he knew he was forced to call upon another liable contact. Finding the person however, was the problem. "Tools...what do you mean? Start making sense."
Violet quickly shot down to blue then the street. "Man, she must've hit you harder than I thought if you haven't figured it out. I stayed in Sanc; I've had plenty of time to search the grounds. I found QUITE the interesting museum displays in my time and it proved useful to get me here a.s.a.p."
He wanted to order Duo to make sense, but another cough interrupted him. Blood touched part of his mouth and he knew his beating was worse than he thought. Had it been this bad when he self-detonated??
Their all-out run quickly took them through the city and soon he was given insight to Duo's mindset. There lay a white Taurus, much like Noin used to use during his stay at Sanc. He blinked, wondering if he was imagining things. Hadn't Relena had everything destroyed yet?? Did she not know about the storage unit?? Did Noin make more?
Duo stopped them at the base and set him near a leg. "Well, lemme go get a few towlines ready and we'll be shovin' off!"
That cheerful attitude was back, but he ignored it. He waited and took stock again of the progress of his injuries, finding his forearm really wasn't of much use. It would barely stand the hoist it would take to get to the cockpit! Using the other with the hurt wrist was out. Blue narrowed. He'd do it; he wasn't going to stay HERE any longer!
After a minute, Duo reappeared, his face thoughtful. "This is going to be interesting...never had to do this tandem before..." Not letting him think, a gun was set in his hand, Duo's arm going around his waist. The free hand quickly retracted his tow, going for the other. Together, Duo helped him up, trying to hold on as much as possible.
At the top, Duo took the line and went to put it back in storage. He blinked and stared at his friend. Duo finally turned with that grin of his. "You're welcome. What're friends for? Now...go get on the wire and contact whoever you need to."
The lift hadn't helped and only made things worse. He carefully plopped down on the seat and tried to work both hands. In the meantime, Duo loaded his gun and kept an eye out below for trouble.
Fingers expertly flew over the controls, pulling up reception. He hoped it would go to a Gundam, but wasn't sure as this was simply a Taurus. Gundam signals were on a more advanced level than regular mobile suits. He would have to hope and see.
Hacking took no time at all, but his vision was starting to swim again, making it hard to see the signal he was making. He forcefully blinked again, but it didn't help. A wave of dizziness hit him, making him nauseous. His breathing slowly became shallow, his ribs sending constant jabs of pain throughout his body.
"So what're you going to do when you get back Heero? You going to let Relena know you're around? I severely HOPE so. You've been ignoring Lena for far too long and it needs to end. You know she worries a LOT about you... God...I can't WAIT to see Hilde again! I'm going to attack those lips of hers and tell her how much I love her! But first, I'm going to see how her therapy's going. And of course, we have to get you healed up first."
Violet lightened as they kept watch below. Nothing was coming and it was a clean, if not confusing, getaway. By rights they should've been dead but the girl let them both go. Duo smiled and looked up. "Sound like a plan to you Heero?" Silence.
Violet looked over, widening in an instant. Duo dropped the gun on the cockpit door and quickly kneeled to his friend sprawled over the console. "Heero?? Shit, Heero wake up!" Duo hesitated to shake his friend, knowing he was hurt bad enough.
Muttering a string of dark curses, Duo kicked the gun off the door and hastily situated Heero in his lap for a long ride. Fingers sped over the console, shutting the door and soon getting the suit airborne. "Hang on Heero. Relena wouldn't like if it you died and I'd never forgive myself for doing that to her..."